(1) After four players have taken one turn, light blue is ahead using his long ladder immediately.

(2) Red and purple have used their long ladders now, and are catching up to light blue. Yellow and dark blue are trying to climb different faces of the tower.

(3) Purple passes light blue and places his blocking stone to make sure the block will be available to build on next turn. Yellow uses her long ladder to catch up but got boxed into a hole she cannot easily climb out of. Red is preparing to move up and box yellow in even more.